Health Issues
Vaccines
Many countries in South America, Asia, and Africa require proof of immunizations in order to enter the country.
Some of these immunizations can be done in one day, while others are done as a series over several weeks. Longest Student Health Center provides vaccinations as well as health care information for the international traveler. If you do not know the requirements of your destination, visit the Center for Disease Control’s travel site for more information:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx.
Health Insurance
Mississippi State University requires that ALL students studying abroad purchase sufficient health insurance for their stay abroad. This inexpensive insurance is designed to assist with specific needs that can develop while in another country. Even if you already have health insurance, additional coverage is important to cover situations that may not be covered by a domestic carrier.
In order to study abroad with Mississippi State University, students’ policies must cover (at a minimum) the following three services:
- Medical Evacuation
- Bedside Visit (by parent or family member)
- Repatriation of Remains
All faculty-led programs include this cost in the program fee or provide students with the option to purchase a plan as a group. Provider programs, such as AIFS, API, CCSA, CEA, GLOBALINKS, GSE, ISA, Semester at Sea and SIT, provide sufficient coverage, and students need not buy additional insurance.
Other affiliated programs, including exchange and direct-enroll programs, do not include sufficient health insurance in their program fee. Students studying abroad with these programs MUST purchase additional coverage.
Also, remember that your insurance will not help you if you do not have the information with you. While abroad, students should keep names, phone numbers, and policy numbers in a secure place.
The U.S. Department of State has more information on health issues while abroad: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html - health.
While Mississippi State University does not promote any specific company, some companies that have traveler’s insurance are listed below.
| HTH Worldwide T: 610.254.8706 F: 610.293.3529 www.hthworldwide.com/ HTH Worldwide combines internet expertise with global medical and security knowledge and health insurance experience. |
T.W. Lord & Associates |
| Worldwide Medical T 800.647.4589 US/Canada T 480.821.9052 Worldwide F 480.821.9297 info@worldwidemedical.com http://www.worldwidemedical.com/home.htm |
HCC Medical Insurance Services T 800.605.2282 insurance@hccmis.com http://www.mnui.com/products.asp?prod=studentsecure |
Medicine
If you are traveling with prescription drugs, keep them in their original pharmacy containers and carry copies of prescriptions. Ask your doctor for the generic name of any drug you are taking in case you need to replace a prescription. Do not forget the prescription for your eyeglasses and contacts. Consider taking the entire amount of prescription drugs that you will need while abroad. Pack a one-month supply in your carry-on, and place the remainder in your stowed luggage.
If you are diabetic or need disposable syringes for any other medical condition, you may consider taking a supply that will last you until you return. This may not be necessary or allowed in all countries. Try to review the regulations and norms of your host country before departure.
Many students will experience some form of mild traveler’s diarrhea while abroad. You may want to ask your doctor to recommend an anti-diarrhea medication to take with you until you adjust to your host country’s food and water.
Before you leave, get physical, dental, and vision checkups and make sure your prescriptions are up-to-date.